United Kingdom: Home Office

The Home Office is the lead United Kingdom (UK) government department responsible for policies on immigration, passports, counter-terrorism, policing, drugs and crime. The UK Border Agency (UKBA), an executive agency of the Home Office, is responsible for securing the UK border and controlling migration into the UK. It manages border control, enforcing immigration and customs regulations. It also considers applications for permission to enter or stay in the UK, and for citizenship and asylum. For more information about the UKBA see: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Country of Origin Information (COI) Service, part of the UKBA, is a team of specialist researchers who research and collate information on countries giving rise to asylum claims in the UK. COI Service provides accurate, balanced, relevant, impartial and up-to-date information on asylum seekers' countries of origin which is used by UKBA officials at all stages of the asylum determination process. COI Service products do not contain UKBA policy, guidance or opinion. For information about COI Service and access to its products see: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/guidance/coi/

The UKBA also produces Operational Guidance Notes (OGN). These documents aim to provide clear guidance for UKBA officials on whether the main types of claim are likely to justify the grant of asylum, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave. Country policy bulletins are also occasionally issued on an ad hoc basis and aim to provide clear guidance on how to deal with particular country-specific issues arising in asylum and human rights applications. The OGNs are accessible on the UKBA website at: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/guidance/csap/
Website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/